[Rich Ives]

Just adding some comments based on several decades of LL involvement.

Originally posted by Tim C
Since I have been labeled "The Arch Enemy of Little League Baseball" by the editor of this webpage I feel I have a right to express my point.

1) There are just as many people here who attack FEDlandia rules.

Not applicable - but true

2) The "official" Little League Baseball people take the stand that unpaid volunteer umpires are equal to paid "certified" (insert "patched", or "bonded" or what ever your local area calls them).


The absolutely worst BS calls I have seen have been made by paid, certified umpires. They looked prettier doing it, but the result wasn't up to par.

Getting paid doesn't mean you're better than one who volunteers. It's the commitment and training of the individual that makes or breaks them.

As an example, volunteer EMT's have to pass the same exams as the pros. I guess you'd choose to pass up needed aid if it came from a volunteer though . . .




3) LL umpires are vastly undertrained by the mass. This comes from little to no organization of areas (sure some locals try to train and that is great).


Undertrained - yes. VASTLY undertrained - no.

4) Andy Konyar is a twit. By using poorly qualified umpires for their largest and most visable set of games he continues to embarrass the great umpires that work in the regionals that will never get to Williamsport.


Andy doesn't choose the umpires, the regions do - from the group that umpires the regionals (year delay). So the pool already IS the"great umpires that work the regionals".

5) Parents are idiots.

At any level. It isn't restricted to LL.

6) Little League umpires (if what ever age the work) come to umpire website and act as if they know what should happen in "real" baseball games.

And some do, and some don't. And if you read the websites long enough you'll realize that a lot of "umpires" at all levels don't have a clue.


7) Little League umpires brush off the pitcher's plate, never seen it happen wear ball bags So donate a zillion dollars so we can keep tossing in new balls and we won't have to continually cycle the balls from out-of-play back to the field and fanny packs when umpiring the bases. never seen one an umpire and so what if he has one?


8) Working games with the tossing of "Red Flags", no leading off and Danny Almonte end it as a source of umpire training.

So having the other 95% of the game the same is meaningless?


9) EDIT ADD: And in closing, I will continue to post anything I want at any time. There is no rule that any poster has to be respectful of any type baseball. Every year at this time we are hit heavily by the FEDERATION seasona nd the start-up of the wonderful Little league season.I will continue to criticize any type baseball or baseball umpires that I think need it.

How about offering help instead. Then they will learn something, get better, and perhaps become more to your liking.

And don't even get me started about requiring umpires to dance with mascots.

That's not a LL thing either. Betcha Max Patkin was around before LL. Minor League pros go along with the promotions a lot. Even the MLB guys have been know to interact with The Phillie Phanatic of the Famous Chicken.

Little League baseball is great . . .

It is great as long it is played in small towns, side yards and cow pastures . . . without grownup interruptions and every parent thinking their child is the next A-Rod.

Little League is a travesty. For that I am sorry.

[Edited by Tim C on Apr 22nd, 2005 at 04:13 PM]

Have a nice day.